(Photo: Courtesy of A&E and Howard Books, an Imprint of Simon and Schuster)

Phil Robertson, patriarch of the Robertson family and star of A&E's most-watched show, "Duck Dynasty." He's also the author of the new book, "Happy, Happy, Happy" that is based on his faith in Jesus Christ, the founding fathers, and his work at Duck Commander.

Phil was supposed to accompany the rest of the Robertson clan for a taped interview of Walters' "Most Fascinating People of the Year" special. The duck call-making family from West Monroe, La., made Walters' annual list along with actress Jennifer Lawrence, singer Miley Cyrus, and reality star Kim Kardashian, among others.

In a sneak preview of the transcript from the interview, set to air Wednesday, Walters asks Phil's wife, Miss Kay, if her husband would rather go hunting than sit down for the ABC network interview. "He would rather shoot ducks than talk to us, yes?"

Miss Kay responded jokingly: "Oh yes. Between, uh, November and January, I told him I didn't ever plan to die then, because, he may not be at my funeral. "

"Tell him I have never been superseded by a duck before," Walters quipped.

The Robertson clan went on to tell the Emmy Award-winning journalist that this isn't the first time Phil has skipped out on a big family event to go duck hunting. Jessica, wife of Jep Robertson, told Walters that Phil missed the birth of his son, Jase, because he was busy sitting in a duck blind. "Well, he missed the birth of Jase because he was in the duck blind, and he wouldn't leave," Jep's wife explained.

Miss Kay jumped in to defend Phil's previous behavior, saying, "He was very young and immature … I was still raising him, as I was raising my other boys."

A&E's "Duck Dynasty" reality show has proven to be a powerhouse of ratings for the television network, breaking multiple records in 2013. In August, it was deemed the most watched nonfiction cable telecast in history when its fourth season premiere raked in 11.8 million viewers.

Walters' list will also include the new Catholic Pope Francis, NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden and long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad, who at age 64 became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the protection of a shark cage. Additionally, she will pay special tribute to ABC News host Robin Roberts and the new member of the British royal family, Prince George.

The ABC special "Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of The Year" will air at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18.